Dear Insecure Girl…

Dear Insecure Girl…
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There she was. She was beautiful, kind, confident, had flawless skin, loved Jesus, everyone loved her and—most of all—I wanted to be her. It was so hard not to compare myself to her.

You might think this was ten years ago when I was in high school, but this was actually three years ago, when I was first saved. I was twenty-three years old and I wasn't secure in who the Lord made me to be. I was still thinking confidence came from my looks and style—like the world says. I knew the Lord loved me, but I wasn’t letting Him work out those insecurities in my heart, the root of the problem.

I bet you’ve struggled with the same thing, right? Maybe you think it's normal for women to be insecure and compare ourselves to every beautiful girl that comes our way. Or, maybe your crush likes a certain girl and now you want to be just like her so maybe he'll like you? This is what I would say as a woman who struggled a lot with insecurity:

Let's take a look at Genesis 3, where we meet Eve, the most popular woman on the planet, She had everything but wasn't content. She wasn't satisfied in God, with her hubby, Adam, or with being basically the only woman on the planet. I mean, under those circumstances you might think how could Eve be insecure, right? But she was.

In Genesis 3:5 Satan tried to tempt Eve. He told her

"For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

The Serpent was basically saying to Eve, "you're not enough," and she fell for that lie.

God doesn't leave us guessing where we stand with him, or how much he loves us. He has so many promises in his word on how he feels about you and me.

Remember, he is the God of the individual. He leaves the ninety-nine for the one. I've been praying everyday that the Lord would create in me a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Psalm 51:10).

The best place to be, as a believer, is to put every doubt and insecurity in the Lord’s hands, knowing you can't fix anything yourself. God has to do that work in your heart. If you don't, the insecurity gets bigger and it affects not only you, but everyone around you.

What comes out of insecurity? Jealousy, bitterness, anger and other horrible things. Are you putting your insecurity in God’s hands or in the world’s hands?

Don't take my word for it. Look at these verses which reveal the Lord’s love for you and how He feels about you. Can you believe the God of the universe is in love with us? Agh, my heart!

“God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

“Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good; his love is eternal.” Psalm 136:1

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God. who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galations 2:20

“But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” Psalm 86:15

People are always drawn to a girl who knows who she is in Jesus and isn’t afraid to show it. She's confident in who God has made her. She's confident in the gifts that God has given her. Yes, she knows there are girls who are prettier, have better fashion, and are funnier than she is. But, if she struggles with insecurity she immediately gives it to the Lord. In his hands everything is made pure. Everything is made beautiful. Everything is made perfect. Insecurity doesn’t have to be part of your story. You can be confident in who God says you are.

by Jasmin Hernandez




Eagerly Awaiting His Return

Eagerly Awaiting His Return

“But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.” Philippians 3:20-21

We live in an exciting time. Don’t get me wrong. It doesn’t take more than a glance at the news or social media to know this nation—this world—is in a sorry state. But, it’s in a state Jesus warned about in Matthew 24:

“And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.” Matthew 24: 6-8

Almost every day there is some new event reported that lines up with the prophecies from the Old Testament prophets such as Ezekiel and Daniel, and Jesus himself as recorded in Matthew 24 and Luke 21. We can rejoice in Jesus for we see his warnings coming in view—the beginning of birth pains. We can rejoice in Jesus because our permanent citizenship is in heaven with him. Our citizenship here on earth is temporary. Everything about today is preparing us for tomorrow.

Paul exhorts us to be eagerly awaiting the return of our Savior. Jesus admonishes us to occupy until he comes. What does that mean?

Perhaps the answer is found in a parable Jesus taught in Luke.

“A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.” Luke 19:12-13

The New Living Translation says, “Invest this for me while I am gone.” The parable is one most of us know well. The servants were each given some silver to invest during the master’s absence. When he returned he asked for an accounting of their investment. Some did well, and one did nothing with the talent given.

We’ve each been given talents by our Creator. They are unique to us—not to be compared with those given to someone else. Every day we’ve been given time—time to develop those talents and time to seek our treasure.

“Don’t store up treasures on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Matthew 6:19-21

Is our treasure Jesus? Do we invest time in study and fellowship with him? Do we see our role in nurturing our marriages…in teaching our children…in doing the best we can in whatever circumstances God allows into our lives as investment in obtaining that treasure?

Investing our time and talents every day in the quest for our treasure fulfills our purpose in life. It honors God, and that is, after all, why he created us. As believers, our citizenship is no longer in this strife-torn world…we’re just passing through.

Oh, let us eagerly await his return, for he will change our limited mortal bodies into glorious eternal bodies like his own. He has that kind of power.

by Marilyn Allison


Forgiveness

Forgiveness

“Sin forsaken is the best evidence of sin forgiven.”’
J. C. Ryle

I am a flawed human being. I want to do what is right, but I don’t, I’m pulled by my own natural desires, I want to do my will and that doesn’t always align with God's will for my life.

“I want to do what is good, but I don't. I don't want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.” Romans 7:19

My sins are many, and more often than not I’m convicted/feel guilty because I know I’m not giving God my best and, therefore, my family is also getting the short end of the stick.

“I have always tried my best to let wisdom guide my thoughts and actions. I said to myself, ‘I am determined to be wise.’ But it didn’t work.” Ecclesiastes 7:23

Living with sin is exhausting. It’s like trying to juggle a power saw, a bomb and an alligator—it’s only a matter of time before one of them is going to get you. Asking for forgiveness is hard. First we have to admit to ourselves that what the world labels okay is—for a Christian—sin. Pride rears its ugly head to keep us from asking for forgiveness. But, it is impossible to be a Child of God and live in sin. The unrepented sin will fester like an open sore oozing shame and guilt. But confessing our sin to God is a safe place. Forgiving our sins—and restoring us—is the reason Jesus Christ came!

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.”
John 3: 16-17

God is in the business of forgiving. There is a caveat though; in order to receive forgiveness, we have to be repentant. Not just regret the fact that we’ve sinned, but we need to abhor what we’ve done to the point that we turn away from that sin and not do it again.

This quote from “Judges - The Flawed and the Flawless'“ by Timothy Keller spoke volumes to me on the difference between regret and repentance:

“Regret and repentance are not the same thing. Regret is sorrow over the consequences of a sin, not the sin itself. Regret focuses on me, on what I have lost, how my heart is breaking. Repentance is about turning back to God; accepting how He has been grieved, how He has not received the honor He deserves. Regret stays sad; but repentance doesn’t because when we repent we are forgiven and restored. Regret never moves on or restores relationship with God; repentance removes all regret.”

“For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” 2 Corinthians 7:10

As we are forgiven so we too need to have the same heart towards others who sin against us. Yep, I know what you are thinking—“Yeah, but you don’t know what he did!” or “She said those lies about me”. Jesus not only came to earth to give forgiveness but to teach us how to forgive as well.

“Then Peter came to him and asked, ‘Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?’ ‘No, not seven times,’ Jesus replied, ‘but seventy times seven!” Matthew 18:21-22

Hebrews 11—we call that chapter “The Hall of Faith”—is full of people who the Lord used in many great ways. They were flawed, they sinned and then sinned again—the same sin! Sound familiar? (Genesis 12:13 and Genesis 20:2) God’s forgiveness is continual. Those men and women—when they weren’t falling on their faces in shame for sins committed—were falling on their faces in worship or walking tall and strong in the Lord. They knew what He said was true. Though they hit bumps in the road God's faithfulness to keep His promises kept them on course.

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” Hebrews 11:13

I am a flawed human being, but I pray I would hold on tight to God, who has lavished me with His love, grace and forgiveness. Jesus, the one who has held me in His nail-scarred hands and will present me one day spotless to His Father, took the consequence for my sin and made it His.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

by Eve Montano

















Rejoice in the Lord

Rejoice in the Lord

“Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safe guard your faith. Philippians 3:1

Paul, ever the encourager, exhorts the believers to rejoice in Jesus Christ. Rejoice not in how we look, what we have, or our accomplishments. Rejoice in Jesus, who he is and what he has done for us. We have nothing else to brag about. No one else gives us the hope of heaven.

The old Apostle goes on to warn the believers of those who would come in and change the significance of what Jesus has done.

“Watch out for those dogs those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved.” Philippians 3:2

Watch out for those who come into the church fellowship and tell you there is more to salvation beyond what Jesus did. Beyond his perfect sacrifice. The “more” is an act of the flesh (or what satisfies the flesh). In this specific case, Paul was referring to the Judaizers, those who said the Gentiles needed to be circumcised and follow the law given to Moses.

He proceeded to summarize his credentials that would, if keeping the law were good enough, mark him as one of the most qualified candidates for salvation. Circumcised on the eighth day according to the law, a pure-blooded citizen of Israel—born of the tribe of Benjamin—a member of the Pharisees (who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law). He obeyed without missing a beat and—in his zealous loyalty to the law—persecuted those who followed Jesus. He did it all and was proud of it. He had great credentials according to the law.

And then, he walked the Damascus Road. He met Jesus, the one whose life perfectly fulfilled the law. The one who provided the perfect and complete sacrifice acceptable to God. The one who died for the sins of all mankind and then, having paid the price, rose from the dead. He wrenched the keys of death from Satan. As the Apostle John later wrote. of him:

“I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.”
Revelation 1:17b-18

Rejoice in the Lord. All the things we’ve counted valuable in life pale in comparison to what he has done for us and given us in becoming our hope for eternity. Paul considered all his accomplishments to be garbage.

“I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”
Philippians 3:7-8a

The infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. What a goal—to consider everything we value as worthless compared to knowing our Savior.

Paul exhorts believers to rejoice in the Lord because it safeguards our faith. When we are glad in the Lord, when we realize what he’s done for us and we’re grateful, we want to know him more deeply. And to know him, we have to know his word. Paul admonished his protege, Timothy to…

“Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

Knowing God’s word keeps us on the right path and protects us from falling for deception. It’s been said that bank employees are taught to study in-depth what valid currency looks and feels like. Then they will be able to easily spot the counterfeit. When we know the word, know the character of God, we’ll spot the phony messages. Then we’ll pass on the truth to those around us—family, friends, co-workers, acquaintances.

And we can encourage them to rejoice in the Lord.

by Marilyn Allison


















 

A Little Inconvenience

A Little Inconvenience
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“The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

I love order. I love plans. I love controlling both. So God brought me to Romania to teach me lessons on “being inconvenienced for Him”.

It began with teaching me how to handle inconveniences in a God-honoring way. Here are just some of the lessons that come to mind.

In Romania, water can be shut off at any time of day for any length of time. We have to forego all water-related activities—cooking, laundry, mopping Ranger’s muddy paw-prints, showering or flushing the toilet--until the water company decides to turn the water back on.

When this happens, God often reminds me, “Do you want to see your children handling these inconveniences in a God-honoring way? Then teach them by your example”.

He reminds me to be flexible--to ‘go with the flow’ (pun intended).

“Every unplanned event is an opportunity for you to display me and allow your children to learn how to handle the unexpected things in life in a God-honoring way.”

Another lesson involved my daily schedule (remember my love for order). I need to be places at specified times. Preparing--and serving--family meals is squeezed between morning and afternoon appointments. On one particular day, I didn’t think I had time for a conversation with a man who is lost and desperately needs Jesus. He busily argued science and why he was a good person. I couldn’t get a word in edge-wise and I thought in my spirit, “Ok, Lord, I gotta go--this is a waste of my precious time. This guy isn’t willing to receive and I need to be somewhere by 1:00pm.”

God replied, “It’s 11:30am and look outside.”.

Reinforcements were coming. Jeje walked in to see what was taking me so long. I explained the situation (in English). He smiled and took over the conversation. The man listened attentively. JeJe used a different approach (I can’t tell you how much Jesus sending His Disciples “two by two” has played out in our lives).

God said, “Can you be inconvenienced for Me? Can you sit here and pray in your Spirit as Jeje shares the Gospel? This man’s soul is at stake. Can you call your kids and tell them what they can find in the fridge for lunch?”

Yes, Lord I can, and I will.

That day the Lord reminded me that my being flexible, and allowing Him to intervene in my daily plans, allows Him to prepare me for the next thing, which often takes the form of unexpected visits and food. A few of our tests:

A relative arrived and proudly gave me a dead, skinned rabbit--yes, some people really enjoy eating them here. The Lord reminded me to smile and graciously accept the gift, as it is honoring to Him and a witness for Him. I was already in the “be prepared for anything” mode. No, I didn’t eat the rabbit – but I thanked the family member and smiled. He left feeling good about his gift, and that’s what is important.

Another time, in the middle of cooking a fantastic meal for out of town relatives, they arrived with a pot of food already made. Yes, they carried those cabbage rolls on the bus, along with a fully de-feathered, intact, chicken carcass (head and feet included). The wife, who is reputed to be a terrible cook and isn’t known for cleanliness, expected us to eat her food and cook that chicken. I smiled and thanked them for their gift. They felt great and honored, and that’s what is important.

On a different occasion, we were ready to begin dinner when a neighbor brought slices of her freshly baked rum cake for dessert. I know from experience that I don’t tolerate even the smell of rum and, honestly, that cake didn’t fit my idea of healthy food. However, Romanian etiquette demands a sample taste and gratitude for the gift. I must decline the taste, but express my gratitude (with profuse superlatives) for her delicious gift. “How incredibly kind and gracious of you, to think of us and share your cake with us.” My neighbor left feeling great about her cake, but convinced I’m an American who can’t handle her rum.

Finally, there is the dear neighbor who likes to bring us his homemade cow cheese. I love fresh cow cheese—when it’s made with clean hands. Unfortunately, his are filthy, but he will expect a full report on how much I enjoyed this cheese. God always reminds me to consider the huge financial sacrifice our neighbor makes in giving us this big block of cheese. I’m overcome with thanksgiving for his gift and let him know. He left feeling so great about his being able to bless our family with that cow cheese. I will take one tiny taste to ensure my honest response when asked. “It tasted great.”

It has taken hard-core training for me to learn to handle these situations in God-honoring ways. I don’t like re-taking tests. I want to nail them on the first go around. Unfortunately, this was a lesson that needed to be re-taught over and over and over.

You see, I grew up an only child, where I controlled my environment. I didn’t have to share. I didn’t have to consider anyone else’s feelings. My toys were my toys. My dollhouse was arranged perfectly. I was “the captain of my ship”. If I didn’t like something, I told you and that was the end of it.

As I grew older, I carried these personal preferences into my adulthood. I made plans—my way, on my terms and in the way I deemed fit. If people wanted to join in, great. If not, no worries. I didn’t need to be inconvenienced or bothered.

But, the heart of God is not for us to be alone or control our environment in a way that shuts others out. God patiently waited for me to surrender my plans for the future, and the way it would be worked out for me and my family.

More importantly, it began in surrendering my heart in exchange for his--asking him to give me his heart for others. After all, as God’s disciple, I want to be obedient to him. In doing this, the two greatest commandments are fulfilled:

Jesus said to him, You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend the whole law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40


When we love God and love others as ourselves, we are obedient. His commands are not burdensome; they bring peace and balance to life and home, and so much more--including seeing people being exposed to the Gospel.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to have plans which bring order to our sometime chaotic lives; but there must always be a submission to God’s authority over them. He’s interested in every remote detail and corner of our lives.

God doesn’t measure big or small. He wants us to surrender all the circumstances to His authority—his Lordship. When we handle the unexpected curve balls and inconveniences of life with the grace and wisdom of God, Jesus is greatly magnified. Our example proclaims the Gospel to a watching world and demonstrates his love and power to the most important disciples entrusted to us, our children.

by Coleen Jejeran, Missionary to Romania